Playing for 90
Fansided

Manchester United’s five most overrated players: Several starters make the list

By Josh McSwain

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Ashley Young of Manchester United goes past Bakary Sako of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on September 30, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Ashley Young of Manchester United goes past Bakary Sako of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on September 30, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Juan Mata of Manchester United celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on September 30, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Juan Mata of Manchester United celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on September 30, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

2. Juan Mata

Just because I think Mata gets too much praise does not mean that I don’t think he is good. I just believe that he is a solid player that won’t hang the club out to dry and can make some plays, but he is nothing special.

Last season he filled in at the ten position for Wayne Rooney after just a few games under Jose Mourinho. From there Mata had some success, but this season he made way for Henrikh Mkhitaryan at the start of this season. Last year with Mata at the ten most of the time United scored just 54 goals for the whole year in Premier League play. It may not be all his fault but he didn’t generate the same level of chances that Mkhitaryan has so far this year.

What Mata is best at is crosses and layoffs. He isn’t known for his finishing or for his defensive abilities (tackling specifically). He could start for most Premier League teams but just isn’t ever going to be anything special at a place like United. Moreover, at this point I don’t think United needs him.

Home/Manchester United